Music Term 2 Newsletter

Music Teachers

Mrs Digby- Years 1, 3, 5, 6 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)

Mrs Spain- Foundation, Year 2, Year 4 (Wednesday, Thursday)

Welcome to Term 2

Choir/Singing group

This Term we introduced a singing/choir group which is held on Wednesdays at lunchtime.

At the moment our group is held weekly as we establish ourselves and is offered to students from Years 2-6.

We will be working towards performing at assemblies and other events in the future.

Foundation

The Foundation students have settled in well to their weekly music session. It's great to see that students have developed their courage and confidence when engaging in new songs, games, and skills; and are actively trying to participate with enthusiasm each week.

This term in Music, students will be:

exploring the seasons through poetry, songs and dance
continuing to play various percussion instruments
continuing to develop our singing/speaking voice
continuing to learn a variety of new songs and dances
taught how to play a steady beat, using their body and varied instruments
learning how to take turns and work cooperatively with classmates
making up movements for classmates to follow

During Term 2, the Foundation students will be rehearsing some items to perform a mini concert, alongside the Year 1 and 2 students. They will be showcasing a variety of songs and dances which they have learned during the term. Performance date to be announced.

Year 1 & 2

InGrades 1 and 2, the students have been working very hard during music sessions and it's great to see them participating with enthusiasm and positive attitudes. This term, students will be deepening their understanding of beat and rhythm; learning how to keep a steady beat, and copy and create rhythms. They will do this by using their body parts, and through playing a variety of percussion instruments such as maracas, tone blocks, clave, tambourines and drums. Tuned instruments such as xylophones will be used more throughout Term 2. Students will continue to deepen their ability to read and write simple written music, using their understanding of syllables.

This term in Music we will be:

exploring the seasons through poetry, songs and dance
continuing to play various percussion instruments
experimenting with tuned instruments (xylophones)
continuing to develop our singing/speaking voice
continuing to learn a variety of new songs and dances
taking turns and working co-operatively with our classmates
playing lots of games to develop a sense of beat and rhythm and help us respond appropriately to different music styles
beginning to read and write written music (Grade 2)
making up movements for our classmates to follow

During Term 2, the Year 1 and 2 students will be rehearsing some items to perform a mini concert, alongside the Foundation students. They will be showcasing a variety of songs and dances which they have learned during the term. Performance date to be announced.

Year 3 & 4

The Year 3 & 4 students have settled in well to Term 2 and it's great to see them cleverly applying their understanding of the 4 musical elements (beat, pitch dynamics, and tempo) to get the most out of each weekly music session. This Term, students will continue to use different percussion instruments and have the opportunity to experiment with and create sound in a variety of different ways. They will be given the opportunity to move to a variety of different music styles,

This term in Music, students will be:

learning the meaning of various musical terms
adding dynamics (loud & soft) when playing instruments together
experimenting and learning to play simple songs on the xylophones
writing out the rhythms of some of our songs and writing our own music
responding appropriately to a variety of music styles
continuing to work co-operatively with our classmates in many small and large group activities
Acting and playing instruments to 'Music that tells a story'

Year 5 & 6

In Grades 5 and 6 we will be investigating different styles of music such as 'blues', 'hoedown', 'calypso' and 'boogie-woogie'.

At present we are learning about 12 bar blues and practising playing these chord progressions on instruments such as xylophones and 'boomwhackers'. We will be consolidating and expanding our knowledge of various rhythms such as syncopated and dotted rhythms. We will focus on working together to create interesting and exciting performances which will improve confidence, personality and enjoyment.

We create a supportive, encouraging environment where everyone works together and has fun performing and expressing their ideas.

This term in Music we will be:

Listening to, and playing 'Blues' music
Learning about syncopated rhythms
Reading and writing music on the Giant Staff
composing short melodies on xylophones
learning to improvise using instruments, movement and voice
playing instruments accurately in 'parts' rather than all playing in unison
practising short skits and raps to perform before an audience
learning to give honest, constructive evaluation and feedback to our classmates after performances
learning how to be a good audience- listening carefully and respectfully when others are performing